The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-04
Of he low morality. concerning

Of he low morality, concerning
which he was more explicit.
He was rich, and playing at acting
aired his vanity, and gave him plen-
tiful opportunities for more or less
risky flirtations with more or less
rapid damsels and matrons. He
much preferred those performances
in which professional actresses were
not engaged. These last were SO
business like, so matter. Of fact; they
had none of the fattering sell. con
scious shyness Of an amateur engaged
in love scene with Captain Vernon.
Besides, half the fun OF the thing lay
in meeting your stage inamorata aft
erward at the houses of frieAds, in
the park or at the theaters, where,
when piece they know is performed,
amateurs are wont to congregate to
deplore the traces Of insufficient re-
hearsal, the staginess, or the vul-
garity of profe.siona performers.
Into this society pretty Mrs. Dear
ing was now plunged. At first she
threw herself heartily into her parts,
being filed with vague dreams OF
future fame and fortune for herself
and Tom when, her genius conquer
ing all prejudice, she should be
snapped up" by a London manager,
as, according to amateur tradition,
frequently happened to their most
promising members.
The amateurs, men aud women,
took to Mrs. Dearing. The women
petted and patronized her, and the
men would have gladly paid her con-
siderable attention had not Capt.
Vernon monopolized her entirely
from the first moment Of his intro
duotion to her. He bad constant op-
portunities for meeting her, for the
amateur season was on, and the mem
bers Of three or four other clubs
were glad to avail themselves of Mrs.
bearings services on Capt. Vernon s
introduction. The married women
assisting" them, finding that the
best bait by which to lure the hand
some Capt. Vernon to their "at
homes" was the presence OF pretty
Mrs. bearing" invited them both
constantly. Soon Mariou's head be-
came filed by confused phantasma-
goria, in which diamond earrings,
plush hangings, tropical plants and
champagne luncheons surrounded
one central figure-a tall, dark man,
with bold eyes and gentle manners,
whose voice, saying all sorts OF things
she ought not to listen to-form a
running accompaniment to her
dreams.
Meanwhile Tom was delighted to
find how amiable aud contented his
wife had become, and how entirely
she had relinquished all notion OF 60
ing on the stage. She certainly re-
quired more pocket money than be-
fore; but, as she explained, she must
dress we'll when Mrs. Darlington took
her for drives. Tom arranged TO do
some extra work in the city, and was
frequently detained there till past s
o'clock. On his return, il she was
not playing for charities" he would
find her bright aud aifectionatc, il
sometimes a little restless, in manner.
She would wait upon him at dinner
with . coqusttish charm new to her,
aud when he sat by the fire sfterward
would cling round him, aud gaze into
his commonplace countenance with a
usefulness in her eyes he did not un.
derstand.
And her husband, remembering
how comparatively cold aud passible
she had formerly been toward him,
decided that little harmless excite.
ment was evidently what she re-
quired, aud often called down bless.
iuVs on amateur theatricals in gen.
eral, aud the Ma,ready Club in par.
ticular.